##  [# ETF Explainer: XLP](/sections/etf-report-departments/etf-explainer-xlp) 

 

# ETF Explainer: XLP

 

 

The consumer staples sector has been outperforming other sectors lately.



 

 

 

 

 [![HeatherBell_green_bg](/sites/default/files/styles/author_image_icon/public/2023-03/heather2.png?itok=5J9vBlda)](/contributors/heather-bell) 

[By Heather Bell](/contributors/heather-bell)

 Jul 01, 2019

 Edited by: Heather Bell

 

 

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**Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund**

Each month, we look at an ETF selected by ETF.com based on its performance and importance to investors. This month, we consider the performance of the $11.2 billion [Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLP)](/XLP), which tracks stocks representing the U.S. consumer staples sector. All the companies mentioned below are holdings in XLP, unless otherwise noted (\*).

[![ETFExplainerARKW](/sites/default/files/images/Magazines/ETF%20Report/2019/07/ETFExplainerXLP_fig1.jpg)](/sites/default/files/images/Magazines/ETF%20Report/2019/07/ETFExplainerXLP_fig1b.jpg)

*For a larger view, please click on the image above.*



**JUN 11** Strong third quarter results from Costco, followed by a double-digit increase in May sales, leads to a strong upward trend in June for the stock.

**AUG 16** Walmart stock soars 9% on better-than-expected quarterly earnings and sales after seeing an increase in shoppers and time spent in-store, and a 40% jump in online U.S. sales during the quarter.

**OCT 19** Shares of Procter &amp; Gamble surge nearly 8%, its largest increase in a decade, on news that its quarterly profit and sales exceeded expectations, and that it would raise some product prices.

**DEC 21** Philip Morris sees a multiday price decline after being downgraded by Credit Suisse,\* while competitor Altria saw a decline after being downgraded by Citigroup.\*

**FEB 14** Coca-Cola forecasts disappointing growth of 4% for 2019 due to economic conditions and political uncertainty; its stocks see worst day in 10 years, falling 8%.

**APR 24** Shares of Colgate-Palmolive rise nearly 4% after a positive quarterly earnings report, with profit and revenue ahead of expectations, and strong growth in its toothpaste and pet food brands.

*Source: Bloomberg. Data for 05/31/2018 to 05/31/2019.*





 

 

 [ Heather Bell ](/contributors/heather-bell) 

 

 

  Heather Bell is a former managing editor of etf.com. She has also held editorial positions at Dow Jones Indexes and Lehman Brothers. Bell is a…   [View Bio](/contributors/heather-bell)

 



 

 


 Related Topics  [Sectors](http://www.etf.com/topics/sectors) 

 [Broad-based](http://www.etf.com/topics/broad-based) 

 [Consumer Staples](http://www.etf.com/topics/consumer-staples) 

 [Equity](http://www.etf.com/topics/equity) 

 [North America](http://www.etf.com/topics/north-america)